Thought for the day-Rock-Part 4

Thought for the day-Rock-Part 4

Ancient cultures, including their philosophers, believed that music had great power and expressed meaning.  It has been only modern philosophers in the second half or the twentieth century, including many church musicians, who have believed that music was (and is) not capable of saying anything.

What Do We Do Now that Rock Won't Go Away?-Part 4

What Do We Do Now that Rock Won’t Go Away?—Part 4  Note: this is part of a continued sequence of posts.

        One of the objectives of developing a Christocentric music philosophy is to incorporate the  beliefs mentioned in yesterday's post, about the nature and value of music, into a musician’s music praxis.  Every Christian must recognize that if the words of the songs we sing are truly biblical then they embody truth.  This music represents truth because the “words” message is true.  They represent what Francis Schaefer called “true truth”. 

       If the texts of Christian music must be constant and reliable then it stands to reason that the styles of singing should be constant i.e. consistent with the message of the gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ and the entire God Head.  First Corinthians 14:7 teaches, And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction  in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?”  This verse, which has become somewhat esoteric over the many centuries, is making historic reference to the tradition of the blowing or the shofar and other musical instruments in ancient Israel.

        The common man knew what the sounds meant merely by the selection of tones that the musician played.  I believe that there is much more musical truth imbedded in the meaning or this Bible reference than is commonly believed or understood by musicians today. We know that the way that the ancient musicians musiced sent either clear or “uncertain” messages to the hearer.  If music had the capability and power to send clear or unclear messages to the people of ancient Israel, surely it has no less power over audiences today.  Therefore all Christian musicians must take great care about the musical techniques they use in their musicing unto God.

What Do We Do Now that Rock Won't Go Away?-Part 3

 

       What Do We Do Now That Rock Won't Go Away?--Part 3

 

       Every time a music director musics i.e. “does”, that musician is exercising a part of his or her music philosophy because all “doing” exudes from beliefs. There is often a difference between what a Christian musician purports to believe and what that musician’s “doing” proves about his or her actual beliefs. .  All you have to do is get in someone’s car, turn on the radio and punch each of the presets and you will find out in a hurry what that musician actually believes about music. Robert Berglund said, “One’s decisions are actually based on one’s values, that is, the actual values one has actually determine the kind of decisions one makes.” A Philosophy of Church Music, by Robert Berglund p. 8.

       So, we are back to our original question, “What do we do now since rock music will not go away?”  The answer is really quite simple.  We will perform what we actually believe philosophically.  We find ourselves without philosophical or praxial excuse.  No Christian musician is forced, by the norms of twenty first century believers or non-believers, to perform rock music or any of its close musical cousins.  When you perform rock music, you are acting on your personal music philosophy and your actual belief that it is the best choice you can make to music unto a holy, infinite God.  You are saying that rock music is a more proper and profound music than the time honored musical genera that have been used for multiplied centuries to honor and praise the triune God.

        I know that a Christian musician may be convinced by another’s arguments that rock music is not philosophically the best music to use to worship God, and yet that musician will not make any behavioral changes in his or her musicing.  My father used to say, “If you convince a man against his will, he’ll be of the same opinion still.”  So, in the midst of our philosophical discussions, we must come to the conclusion that post-modern church musicians are doing what they like to do.  Again, Richard S Taylor summed up the matter quite well, when he wrote, “Free domestic philosophies, such as existentialism, exaggerate individualism.  Freedom is the watchword, and personal autonomy is the aim.”  A Return to Christian Culture, p.66.

        It is impossible to successfully discuss a Bible based music philosophy and praxis with an autonomous musician, since his or her music philosophy and praxis is non-discussable.  It is not discussable because freedom reigns in all areas of this musician’s musicing unto God.  Therefore, although there are without doubt convincing arguments for not using rock music to worship God, one should understand that probably only the Holy Spirit will effect change in the way an autonomous musician musics. 

Thought for the day-Rock-Part 3

Thought for the day-Rock-Part 3

A Church musician has the power to make autonomous musical decisions, but when we all face him whose eyes are as a flame of fire, we will have to give an account for how we have musiced unto God.

Thought for the day--Rock--Part 2

 

Thought for the day—Rock—Part 2

It is amazing to me that so many twenty-first century Christian musicians believe that one can follow a musical path and then much later are unhappy with the end result. It seems that  they failed to recognize that musical direction determines musical destiny.

 

What Do We Do Now that Rock Won't Go Away?-Part 2

 What Do We Do Now That Rock Won't Go Away?-Part 2

Remember that we are in a series on rock and there will be no attempt to draw the discussion to a definite conclusion at the end of each daily post.  So, read all posts in the series.

 All of us who have worked with people over several decades know that times change and that musical tastes change and the way arrangers organize the formal properties of music changes from decade to decade.  I have had well meaning church and Christian college officials take me aside and council me about the “fact” that church folks no longer like a legitimate collegiate approach to sacred choral music.  However, I have lived long enough to know that it is not a fact that no one wants to hear a college choir sing gospel music on pitch, singing with vibrato and a collegiate approach to vocal production.  The actual fact is that if a music director is scared of his or her shadow, an entire life will soon be spent with that director living in constant fear that his or her musicing is not trendy enough to be popular, understood, or liked by those who attend religious concerts or church services. 

       The same can be said of church music and sacred music in general.  If a music minister is not convinced that his or her music praxis is the right path to follow, panic will reign in the music leadership of that director.  I am made to think of the story of a military commander who allegedly once said, “Follow me I’m your leader, now let’s see, which way are we going?” One of the greatest problems with Christian music leadership is that a great host of music worship leaders  are like the military commander in that they are not sure which way to go with their musicing.  They are not convinced of any definite music praxis.

        I have watched them flip-flop philosophically from Bach to rock, never seeming to know philosophically why they are going with the latest trendy leader-shift. The often state that their reason  for being a slave to current musical trends is that they believe that this new trend will bring to their church or organization their “market share” of people who happen to like a current musical fad.  First of all, the Bible never teaches the concept of “market share”.  On the contrary, it teaches that Christian servants  are to be good and faithful.

        So, to avoid such error and continual musical panic, every Christian music leader must develop a music philosophy that is congruent with the Bible and its principles of musicing.  A strong personal music philosophy can and will do more than any other thing in a musicians life to stabilize one’s music praxis and ipso facto a solid rational music ministry.  A music ministry of a leader who operates without a consistent, congruent music praxis is like a ship without a rudder.  Regardless of which music fad, fashion or current trend a Christian musician follows, this maxim is true—direction determines destiny.

Thought for the day-Rock-Part 1

Thought for the day-Rock Part 1

Those who believe that the musical vehicle does not matter as long as “seekers” enjoy it are Jesuit in their music philosophy and praxis.  They should remember that the Bible never teaches that the end justifies the means.

What Do We Do Now that Rock Won't Go Away?-Part 1

 What Do We Do Now that Rock Won't Go Away?-Part 1 

We are beginning a several part series on rock music.  The reader should be reminded that in these series we do not make any attempt to bring the discussion to a definite conclusion.   therefore, the reader should be sure to read all previous posts before continuing.

 

       Rock music has been around long enough that most Christian musicians have conceded that it is not going away.  Many conservative musicians have gone through the different stages of complaining about it, ignoring it and finally tolerating it.  Likewise, some conservative Christian musicians have believed that it was not suited for sacred musicing, that it might be in some situations used of the Holy Spirit, and finally that since it is not going away, we might as well get on with the program and use it regardless of its suitability or usefulness.  Others of us have continuously refused to perform rock music on the basis of its suitability and appropriateness in public and private worship. 

       Richard S. Taylor once wrote, “Some readers will point to the conversions which apparently occur following the use of religious rock, with the dubious assumption that even one soul saved is a divine endorsement. The question is, “What is true, appropriate, and inherently sound?”  In some of our sincere but misguided evangelism, the Spirit reaches around our gimmicks and finds some conductor over which spiritual energy can flow to reach a hungry heart.  If the Word is preached, if sincere testimonies are given, if there is an atmosphere of warm love, of course there will be fruit.  But let us not naively suppose the deafening rock music has been the instrument.” A Return to Christian Culture, by R.S. Taylor p.90.

        I believe that Dr. Taylor’s statements reach to the core of the matter.  A host of Christian musicians have failed to understand that, in the long run, a discerning music leader will ultimately choose music that is “true, appropriate and sound” music praxis.  Any other musical direction leads a body of believers down a faulty musical and worship path.

Prayer for the Day-God Never Forgets His Musicians

                          Prayer for the day-God Never Forgets His Ministering Musicians

Forgive me Lord, for feeling alone and forgotten.  Cleanse me from self-pity and the sin of mistrusting that You will remember me.  Both of my brothers still love me and You have promised to be a friend that “sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)

God Never Forgets His Ministering Musicians

God Never Forgets His Ministering Musicians

Genesis 4:21  And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.

                Genesis 4:21 has the distinction of being the first reference to music in the Holy writ.  Among those names most anciently mentioned in Scripture, Jubal is listed.  Not only is this musician’s name specified in the bible, but he is called by “ab” (01) which is the primitive Hebrew and Chaldean word for father, chief and principal person.

                Musician’s soar to the seventh heaven during their musicing unto God and plunge to the abyss of despair after church is over.  While reflecting on the service they only remember that the two main bass singers and the soprano soloist did not show up for morning service.  Furthermore, the tenors sang flat and hardly any one said “thank you “after church was over. 

              Christian musicians, who are among the most visible of all God’s ministering servants, strangely suffer from loneliness and often feel forgotten by both God and man.  There are a host of reasons for these feelings of self-pity, none of which deserve to be discussed in this short devotional.  To state it simply it goes with the Job!  If you are a musician you will have highs and lows and these will happen much too often. 

One way of looking at it is that poor Jubal only got one tiny verse in all of the Old Testament.  However, you could look at it that his name and what he did was inscribed in the Book of Genesis.  Man would forget him, but God will not let us forget His musician.  Not only do we remember Jubal as a musician, but as the “father” of musicians. 

                If you are a musician and you are reading this devotional, I do not need to draw you a picture.  You know what I mean.  God has not forgotten you.  Buck up.  God loves you and He remembers all your service to Him.

Prayer for the Day-In the Fiery Furnace

                                                   Prayer for the Day-In the Fiery Furnace 

My heavenly Father, who sent the Holy Spirit to guide me into all truth, help me to not bow down to the musical idols of this present age.  Give me the wisdom to take a stand for what is right—no matter the cost.  Give me a sweet but firm spirit like the three Hebrews who would not bow to the will of this world.  Help me to believe that, if you allow me to be placed in the fiery furnace, you will be there to protect me.  Lord, although I would like to escape the fiery furnace, I will not ask You to exempt me from criticism or misunderstanding.  I am only asking You to help me to exhibit a Christ-like spirit when the fiery times come.  These things I pray in Your strong and just name.  Amen.

 

 

In the Fiery Furnace

In the Fiery Furnace

 

Daniel 3:15

Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

Sometimes Christian musicians think that they are the only people who go through fiery trials over not being comfortable worshiping with “all kinds of music”.  Some musicians whine about the good ‘ole days when there was no battle over worship music.

                It appears that in Daniel’s day false worship was associated with certain sounds produced by certain instruments used to worship the golden image.  It was wrong to enter in to this worship experiences for a multitude of reasons.  However, the point I am making here is not which instruments were used but how they were used.

                The emphasis of this music was diversity, signifying that it was alright to use all kinds of instrumental music to worship the image set up by the godless King Nebuchadnezzar.  These Hebrew men refused to be squeezed into the cultural diversity of this music.  Instead they refused to do wrong—even in the name of musical diversity.

                If you take a stand against any of the musical diversity of this present age, you may be thrown into the denominational fiery furnace.  Why not, are we in this dispensation any more special than Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?  No, we are not, but one thing we can be assured of—the Son of God will go into the fiery furnace with us and He is able to deliver us according to His sovereign will.

 

Thought for the Day-Keeping Your Promises to God

                                                                Thought for the day: Keeping your Promises to God

 

It is one thing to sing songs about God.  It is another thing to know the God that you are singing about.

Keeping Your Promises to God

Keeping Your Promises to God

Psalm 61:8 

So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows. 

                Biblical scholars differ in their understanding of the Hebrew word shalam (7999).  Opinions include perform, fulfil, render, restore, peace, finish, pay, etc.  The context of each Hebrew thought caused the various exegetes to use the various English words. 

                In the context of verse 8, which is a musical discourse, I believe that it was just to render shalam as perform.  You see that is what Christian musicians do.  They perform music!  Perform is not a word with negative connotations.  How Christians perform is what matters not merely that they perform, fulfil, or render their music unto God.  Any sinner can crank out a religious song. 

                David performed his vows unto God by singing praise unto Elohiym (430) the supreme God.  This musician performed his vows unto God every day.  Every day David performed “unto thy name” as he praised the supreme God through musicing unto the plurality of Deity.  God’s creation (music) provided David the means of grace necessary to worship God. 

                Christian musician have you made any vows unto God?  Did you promise God that you would give Him back all of the musical talent that he has given you?  Are you keeping your promises to God by performing music unto God every day?

 

The Stuttering Minister's Testimony

The stuttering Minister’s  Testimony

      ( He recounts  his obedience to testify in a revival service when he was ashamed to do so because of his stuttering.) “There was a special song and before the preacher arose to preach, he said, ‘is there one more who wants to testify?’   It seemed that the lord said to me, ‘August , I will help you.’  Then it seemed that the Lord put His arms around me and raised me to my feet.  I stood there and looked down.  Then I looked up, and immediately the fire fell from heaven.  I didn’t speak a word.  Some of the people were shouting and others were weeping, and I found out that it was the Devil who told me not to testify.”   I Speak for Myself by August Luelf, P.6, (no publisher, no date)

 

The Stuttering Minister

The Stuttering Minister

        On the twenty-third day of September in 1940 Reverend August Luelf (the stuttering preacher from Kansas) was pouring his heart out or God one evening when he was alone in his room.  Here is a portion of his written prayer:  ”Now Lord, help me to write, for I cannot speak as others do.  I do want to testify for Thee!  I cannot speak well, but I am not discouraged—I will write my testimony.  As the tears flow down my cheeks, Lord, I pray that it will bless the readers.  Help them each one to see where they stand in thy sight.”           I Speak for Myself, by August Luelf,  p. 3, (no publisher, no date)

       As a small child I had the privilege to hear this mighty servant of God preach.  He was not mighty because of his eloquent speech because he stuttered constantly as he delivered his sermons.  As a matter of fact he would struggle until his speech patterns would completely shut down.  However he was mighty in spiritual power because of the presence of the Almighty God that surrounded him.  

      When I remember Reverend Leulf, I am reminded of the Scripture in Zachariah 4:6 “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel,  saying , Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit saith the LORD of hosts.”  This man of God who had a debilitating speech impediment carried a weight of glory of the Holy Spirit about his person that made him a very effective ministering servant.  It certainly was not his speaking talent but rather the Spirit that made his ministry efficacious.

       Another thing that I will never forget is the fact that while he was preaching, in the midst of his tremendous stuttering, he would begin to sing.  When he sang he did not stutter and the presence of the Holy Spirit often filled the sanctuary as he would sing a hymn or a gospel song. 

       Perhaps today you are struggling over some aspect of your music ministry.  If there is something that hinders you from ministering the way you would like to minister, remember that it isn’t might, power, talent, or eloquence that matters most in your ministry.  It is the power and anointing the Holy Spirit gives you that will make your musicing efficacious.

Thought for the Day- Song Lyrics

                                                                          Thought for the Day-Song Lyrics

  If your musicing is going to be didactic, it must have enough content and depth to teach something worthwhile.

Sacred Song Lyrics Must Catechize the Listener

                                                           Sacred Song Lyrics must Catechize the Listener

Deuteronomy 31:19

Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.

                The children of Israel had time after time forgotten the goodness of Jehovah and had turned to false gods of their neighbors.  In verse 16, God told Moses that it would not be long until Israel would again go after false Gods.

                Jehovah was always faithful to His people so once again he sent his man with a message.  It was a song (see Deuteronomy 32).  The purpose of this song was to witness against an apostatizing nation. 

                The musician was first to compose a song, second to teach it to them, and third to have them sing it.  It is never sufficient to “talk” the songs of Jehovah.  They must be sung.  Now song leader you know a little more why we sing the Logos Christos in church.  God has given musicians the solemn opportunity and responsibility to compose, teach, and sing the songs of Jehovah.

                Not all songs that should be sung in church will be “hippity hop over the top”.  Some of them will be “Are you living where God answers prayer?”  “A Charge to Keep I Have”, “Nothing Between My Soul and the Savior” and “Guard Your Heart”.  Whether our music is a simple praise chorus or a serious song about God’s judgment of the wicked, we should count it a privilege to catechize those who attend our church services with the songs of Jehovah.

 

Prayer for the Day-Guard Your Musicing

                                                     Prayer for the Day-Guard Your Musicing

Lord, “I count not myself to have apprehended”.  Please give me the wisdom to discern between music that is sacred and profane.  Do not let me get squeezed into the world’s mode of musicing.  Pleas help me to guard my heart so that I may hear your voice and obey the checks of the Holy Spirit concerning how and what I music unto You.  this I pray in your name.  Amen.

Guard your Musicing

                                                                        Guard your Musicing

Exodus 32:18

And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.

                 As Moses came down from the mountain with the Decalogue, Joshua said to Moses, “There is the noise of war in the camp”.  Moses recognized the music to “noisy singing” or “depressing (anah 6031) singing (kowl 6963)”.  These people were worshiping and dancing (vs. 19) naked (vs. 25) around the golden calf.

                They were worshiping an idol.  No wonder this worship was accompanied by “depressed singing” and “naked dancing”.  Not everything that went on in ancient worship music was of God.  Likewise, not everything that goes on in modern and post-modern musical worship is of God.  Beware chief musician that you do not get squeezed into the world’s mould of musicing.  To these Israelites whose hearts were full of carnality, dancing, yelling, naked to the noise of their music seemed to be the proper thing to do.

                Today if a Christian musician believes that there is a difference between the sacred and the profane, he or she will be laughed to scorn.  Never the less it made a difference then and it still makes a difference today.

                Chief musician “guard your musicing”.  “Walk circumspectly” and “prove what his acceptable unto the Lord.”  When you face Him whose eyes are as a flame of fire, you will be glad you did.

Prayer for the day-Making Your Pillow an Altar

                                                 Prayer for the Day-Making Your Pillow an Altar

Lord forgive me for becoming so busy leading others in worship that I don’t worship myself.  Help me to turn my pillow into an altar and help me to recognize your presence which is all around me today.  I know that you are my only sure source of help so I am asking You to help me through this very busy day.  This I ask in Your strong and sure name.  Amen.

Making Your Pillow an Altar

                                                                    Making Your Pillow an Altar

Genesis 28:16

And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.

       Jacob’s early adult life was plagued with mistakes and failures.  He was so busy being a supplanter or schemer that he could not hear the voice of God.  After Jacob had lied to his father and had to leave home in order to protect his life he finally came to his senses.  In a dream the Lord was able to hear the voice of Jehovah.  The Lord said to him, “I am Jehovah Elohim”.  I am the self-existent, eternal God who is and I am the supreme exceeding God!

       Christian musician don’t become so busy “doing” that you don’t have time to “be”.  Don’t merely lead others in worship.  Make sure that you worship God every day.  Learn to recognize even the little things that God does for you day by day.  Make sure you turn your pillow into an altar.  Anoint it with the oil of your tears as you worship the supreme, self-existent, eternal God who is.

Thought for the day-God is the Musician's Protection

                                               Thought for the Day -God is the musician's protection

 

With every temptation God has provided a way of escape.  However, it is your responsibility to escape.

God is the Musician's Protection

                                                      God is the Musician's Source of Protection                           

 

Psalm 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah             

       The psalmist David recognizes that Jehovah the self-existent, eternal God who is, was his source of protection.  He referred to Jehovah as his “hiding place”.  The Hebrew word cether (5643) means a covering.  Furthermore the psalmist recognized God as his “preserver” or natsar (5341) i.e. one who guards, protects or keeps.  How does Jehovah keep us from trouble or in the time of trouble?  David declares under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that “thou shalt compass (surround) me about with songs of deliverance”. 

        Christian musicians often believe that “we are what we eat”, but they less often understand that we are “what we think”.  Christian musician, what kind of songs have you placed in your mind?  In the time of trouble God’s Word declares that the Lord will surround you with “songs of deliverance”.  That is—He will if you know any songs of deliverance.

Prayer: Lord please help me to fill my mind with songs that bring honor to you.  Help me to fill my mind with the logos Christos so that you many use these in order to deliver me in the time of trouble. Amen.

Thought for The Day- Reach Out to Others

            Thought for the day-Do Not get too busy to Reach Out to Others

  You cannot continually feed other people’s souls unless you feed your own.

 

Do Not Get too busy to Reach Out to Others

                                                   Do Not Get too Busy to Reach Out to Others 

Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

       The prophet Isaiah had a big job to do!  The Jewish nation had fallen into idolatry.  Their sin was great and they were very needy spiritually.  Sounds like today doesn’t it?  As a Christian musician you will have opportunities to minister to needy people.  It won’t be easy to take the time to minister to the musicians who you come into contact with.   Church musicians and private music lesson teachers are busy people.  Don’t let yourself get so pre-occupied with the music part of music ministry that you forget to reach out to those you minister to and to those on your own ministry team.

       In order to be able to help others you must be in regular communication with God the source of real help.  If you are going to feed others you must first be fed.  If you are going to lift up your voice “like a trumpet” you must be on top spiritually.

       This scripture states that we are to show people their sins and transgressions.  Wow! I don’t know any music minister that enjoys pointing out other’s sins.  If we are not careful we will go through life sort of doing God’s work while we miss the real point of being His ministering servants.  If those whom we come in contact with continue in sin and miss heaven, we have failed them no matter how much music we teach them.  We must remember that they will not make it to heaven if they continue sinning or have unconfessed sin in their lives. 

       The real importance of music is that it is a ministering tool and a worship tool.  The music part of music is important, but it is not the main thing.  Getting ready for heaven is the main thing.  The most important thing to remember about church music is that it a means of grace.

 

 

 

 

Prayer for the Day- Musicians Should be Seekers

Prayer for the day-Musicians Should be Seekers After God

  Thank you Lord for letting me sing the good news of your saving and sanctifying power.  Thank you that you do not require sad songs, but rather glad songs.  Lord help me to shine and make my boast in the Lord (Psalm 34:2)  Please shine through me and flow through me.  Help my musicing “show forth Thy Glory”.  These things I pray in your wonderful name.  Amen

Ministers of Music Should be Seekers After God

                                           Ministers of Music Should be Seekers After God

I Chronicles 16: 9-10 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.¹⁰ Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

                 As ministers of music we need to take heed of the wonderful formula laid down for the seeker after God.  First, sing unto the Lord.  Second, sing Psalms (zamar 2167) sing and play instruments unto the Lord.  Third, talk about what the Lord has done.  Fourth, glory (halal) or boast about his holy name.  Fifth rejoice (samach 8055), be cheerful and glad and be of a merry heart as you seek the self existent eternal God, who is.

                Wow!  What wonderful guidelines for those who seek after God.  We, as ministers of music, should by our musicing foster an attitude of great joy for the God seeker.  Evangelistic singing should be joyful singing. Nothing is said about sadness or groaning or depression.  The Word says that the seeker should brighten up and be gleesome.  God wants the seeker to cheer up.  Why? Because the ‘good news’ is the best news the seeker will ever hear in this life.  The seeker after God should “Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.”  No long face, no despair, no doubt and no sad song is recommended.  Be sure that you present the good news as good news-- never sad or bad news!

              Musicians have the wonderful privilege to help set an atmosphere conducive to seeking after God.  Some seekers will not even know much about God.  Many seekers will have a wrong concept of who God is and what he does for those who truly seek Him.We as Christian musicians need to remember that we should also be seekers after God. Our musicing should be unto Him.  As the verses in I Chronicles 16:9&10 tells us, we need to talk or sing of all His wondrous works.  We need to be sure that as we music we “glory in His holy name.”  The same music that edifies the believers we minister to will also strengthen us spiritually if we let it draw us closer to the object of our worship—Jesus our great Savior.

Prayer for the Day- What God considers Important

Prayer For the Day-What God considers Important

Lord, please forgive me for ever thinking about living the good life.  Forgive me for thinking humanistically about “getting all I can and canning all I get.”  Help me to be a giver.  Let me pour out my life for you.  Help me to be “ready to go or ready to stay”. Lord, I want to serve you.  If I know my heart, I want to minister to others.  Please let me live my life as a willing sacrifice to you.  Thank you Lord for giving me the privilege to minister to those around me. Amen.

What God Considers Important

                                                             What God Considers Important.

Matthew 19: 29-30.

 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.  (also read Mark 10:28-31 and Luke 13: 24-30.)

The verses above are powerful and even shocking examples of what Christ considered most important in this life.  He very carefully said that if we want to inherit everlasting life we will need to “yield up” families and possessions to be sent forth for Christ and His kingdom.

Those who love us the most often do not remember Christ’s words to those of us who minister for Him.  They want the very best for us.  As a matter of fact they want us to be “first”.  Why? Because they believe with all their hearts that we “deserve it”.

Christ gives this paradoxical statement in verse thirty “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.”  No one that loves you or me will want us to be “last”.   Those who understand Christian work know that if we serve Christ out there in “Smirgley Junction”, we will be hidden away and will certainly be “last”.  They know that we will come and go in this life without much earthly recognition or remuneration.

Our family and close friends will not always understand Christ’s promise in Matthew 20 :16, “So the last shall be first, and the first last:  for many be called, but few chosen.”  Remember that in St. Matthew 20:29, Christ stated that those who forsake “for my name’s sake shall receive an hundred fold….”  and, of course, everlasting life.”

If those who forsake earthly connections and possessions receive everlasting life, what about those who said “I go sir”, and went not?  This is sounding better all the time.  Those who go are first in the Kingdom of Heaven and get to miss eternal damnation.  Christ sums it up very clearly in Matthew 20:28 “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Thought for the day-Blending-Part 2

               Thought For the day-Blending –Part 2

Music is an aid to memory.  This song contains ten times the theological thoughts that some  “one thought” choruses contain.

Blended Music Before "Blending" was Cool-Part 2

 Blended Music Before “Blending” Was Cool-Part 2

       With the introduction given in yesterday's discussion,, I want to explain why gospel hymns like “What a Wonderful Savior” by E.A. Hoffman are appropriate for 21^st century public worship.  Each verse of this song is a clear confession of faith taken from the fundamental doctrines of the Bible.                       

                                    Christ has for sin atonement made,

                                    We are redeemed: the price is paid.

                                    I praise Him for the cleansing blood-

                                    That reconciled my soul to God.

                                    He cleansed my heart from all its sin-

                                    And now He reigns and rules there-in. 

                                    He gives me overcoming power-

                                    And triumph in each trying hour!

                                    To him I’ve given all my heart.

                                    The world shall never share a part.

Each thought of each line is followed by the corporate (choral ) response: “ What a wonderful Savior!”  Each complete verse is then followed by the strong chorus:

                                    What a wonderful Savior is Jesus, my Jesus!

                                    What a wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord!

This gospel hymn has the best of everything.  It includes:

                                                Atonement

                                                Redemption

                                                Cleansing by the efficacious blood of Christ

                                                Reconciliation

                                                Cleansing from all sin

                                                Christ reigning in the believer’s heart

                                                Christ’s overcoming power given to believers

                                                Triumphant Christian living

                                                A life sold out to Christ

                                                Freedom from the power of this world

       This gospel hymn also is loaded with expressions of repeated praise to our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  This song is a classic example of many songs that may be found in any standard Hymnal.  Although the musical vehicle is simple harmonically and rhythmically, it is a proper vehicle to support this mighty lyric gospel hymn.  Next Sunday give this  gospel hymn a try in Sunday morning worship.  The fundamental understanding of the Bible doctrines imbedded in this song will help you in your presentation of this wonderful song to your congregation.  P.S. note the importance and credence that punctuation gives to this lyric poetry.

 

Thought for the day-Blending-Part 1

                                               Thought for the day-Blending-Part 1

Nutritionists constantly stress the importance of a balanced diet.  Good quality gospel hymns are, in my estimation, some of the balanced catechism tom insure a balanced theological diet.

 

Blended Music Before "Blending" Was Cool-Part 1

                Blended Music Before “Blending” Was Cool-Part 1

       About 100 years before blended music for worship became popular in public worship as part of the worship the worship renewal movement, Elisha A. Hoffman wrote the words to “What a Wonderful Savior”.  This song may be defined as a gospel hymn.  There are several definitions given for the gospel hymn by various authors.  These definitions run from a “mixture song” which includes praise to God mixed with clear fundamentalist doctrine to “simple songs with an elaborate chorus”.  Some of the definitions that I have found have been positive but others are very negative considerations of this musical genre especially because they stress adherence to the fundamental doctrines of the Bible. 

        Notably, the early gospel hymns were developed first by George Root (1820-1895), William Howard Doane (1832-1915), Robert Lowery (1826-1899), Philip Bliss (1838-1876), et al.  There have been a host of writers who have produced these mixture songs in the 20^th century.  Current writers are particularly negative about gospel songs that exhibit clear fundamentalist doctrine and the fact that these songs are quite simple harmonically.

       Although there are numbers of these songs that are anything but “classics”, time has already shown that they are not the only religious songs that often rightfully fall into obscurity after a short period of popularity.  At this point in time there is an emphasis on worship music that centers almost entirely on God with little or no content about man’s relationship to God.  The claims of the gospel are purposefully omitted from the bulk of praise and worship choruses.  Certainly, praise to God is not an option but rather a necessity for worship musicing.  However, as I have said often, so are songs of prayer, confession, contrition, the Trinity, Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection, the second coming, and a host of other doctrinal and creedal content. 

       So, the gospel hymns written by the hymnists listed above were an integral part of the Moody, Sankey worship and evangelistic services.  Louis F. Benson notes that, “Their work [the gospel hymn] was appropriated in Dwight L. Moody’s English campaign and his later call upon American churches to add evangelism to worship.”  The Hymnody of the Christian Church, by Louis F. Benson, p.266   The concept of having an element of evangelism and fundamental doctrines of the church as a part of public worship is not popular in many churches today.  My philosophical question to those who oppose an element of evangelism in worship is, “Just when are songs that teach fundamental doctrines and have an evangelistic appeal appropriate for the modern audience?” 

        Many fundamentalist churches have shortened or removed revivals, camp meetings and evangelistic campaigns from their schedule of public services.  These same churches sing a repertoire of praise songs on Sunday morning and Sunday evening and at the midweek service, with little or no songs that catechize the audience in the cardinal doctrines of the church.  When should the church music present the claims of the gospel and give people an opportunity to come to know Christ by a personal profession of faith?  It seems that, if the modern fundamentalist churches are attempting to be seeker sensitive, they need to add an element of evangelism to their worship musicing in order for it to be a proper concomitant to the preaching of Christ crucified.  I want to emphasize again that I believe praise and worship music must hold a place of centrality in all the public services of the Assembly of Believers.  However, although praise music is fundamental to Christian worship, so is the exposition of the other cardinal doctrines of the church.  Tomorrow we will continue our discussion of the importance of the Gospel Hymn.